All three of these are tested when the engine is being cranked over. There are two way of checking for fuel. Fuel pressure and fuel trigger. Both are very important and must be present for the car to start. Fuel pressure is self explanatory. You just hook up the gage and see what the reading is. Fuel trigger is check with a noid light. The injector gets unplugged and the noid light gets plugged in to the injector clip. With the engine cranking over, this light must blink. This is the signal to the injectors from the computer. You can have all the fuel pressure in the world, but it wont matter if the injector is not pulsing gas into the cylinder like it should! Compression tester, spark tester, fuel pressure gage and noid light are all accessible at your local auto store. All three tests play a very important part in diagnosing a no start condition. Be extremely careful when doing these tests.

A simpler test would be to see if it runs on starting fluid. If it does, then you know you have spark and compression and you simply have a fuel delivery problem

Just spray it into the air intake where the air filter sits. Just open up the air filter housing as if you were going to be replacing thr air filter and spray starting fluid in the intake towards the engine and see if she fires up.

I would honestly start by checking engine compression. We need to make sure the engine is breathing correctly. You might also want to just be sure the camshaft is turning when cranking over the engine. This will ensure that the timing belt is not broke.

You might be able to rent a compression gauge at your local auto parts store. If not, you could purchase one from the auto store or even get a used one off of ebay.

You can accept my answer now and we can still continue our conversation if you have any further questions.

I will check that this evening. If I replaced the distributor cap and rotor, could the problem be with the distributor itself? I know there are so many routes to go with a "car that won't start", I am just trying to get the cheap and easy stuff done first. If it is the distributor, is that a simple replacement?

I will tell you that...the things you have to go through to be an Expert are quite rigorous.

What Customers are Saying:

I would (and have) recommend your site to others I was quite satisfied with the quality of the information received, the professional with whom I interacted, and the quick response time. Thanks, and be sure that I'll be back whenever I need a question answered in a hurry.Stephanie PElm City, NC

I would (and have) recommend your site to others I was quite satisfied with the quality of the information received, the professional with whom I interacted, and the quick response time. Thanks, and be sure that I'll be back whenever I need a question answered in a hurry.Stephanie PElm City, NC

used your service this weekend with "Trecers" help. thank you ,thank you, thank you. replaced an A/C fan motor. Local Auto Zone had part. $15.00 "tracer" fee and $40.00 for parts, I saved several hundreds of dollers at a shop. i will
recommend you and use you in the future.David L.Richmond, TX

9 dollars, 2 hours of my time, and I drove away. Your diagnosis was right on the mark. Thank you so much. PhilMarysville, CA

Lurch. Thank you very much. I had real doubts about this website but your promptness of response, quick followup and to the point answer with picture was incredible.CharlesWalnut Creek, CA

As a single woman, I really appreciate an excellent and affordable opinion. Thank you Geordie, I will not hesitate to contact justanswer in the future!SueCharleston, WV

Another great insight to what may be the problem. I will
have my mechanic take a look at it tomorrow. Thanks again, Frank...you do indeed know your stuff. JimCastleberry, FL

Ask a Mitsubishi Mechanic

Get a Professional Answer. 100% Satisfaction Guaranteed.

63 Mitsubishi Mechanics are Online Now

Type Your Mitsubishi Question Here...

characters left:

Disclaimer: Information in questions, answers, and other posts on this site ("Posts") comes from individual users, not JustAnswer; JustAnswer is not responsible for Posts. Posts are for general information, are not intended to substitute for informed professional advice (medical, legal, veterinary, financial, etc.), or to establish a professional-client relationship. The site and services are provided "as is" with no warranty or representations by JustAnswer regarding the qualifications of Experts. To see what credentials have been verified by a third-party service, please click on the "Verified" symbol in some Experts' profiles. JustAnswer is not intended or designed for EMERGENCY questions which should be directed immediately by telephone or in-person to qualified professionals.